WHITE COUNTY, GA - BIOS Brown, Singleton Coleman (1841-1924)
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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Wally McCollum
Singleton Coleman Brown
January 31, 1841 - April 20, 1924
Singleton Coleman Brown had been a farmer and a solid
citizen of Barrow County for many years when he died on
Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924. Coming to then Walton
County before 1880, he was the son of Levi Brown, a
miller and shoemaker, who served in the War of 1812 in
South Carolina. Levi and his wife, Delilah Helton,
moved to Habersham County Georgia from Tennessee just
before Singleton's birth in 1841. The third of five
children, Singleton grew up near Cleveland in the area
of Habersham County that became White County in 1857.
When the Civil War came, Singleton enlisted for three
years on July 10, 1862 in Captain J.J. Moore's Company
B of the 52nd Georgia Volunteer Infantry. His company
was known as the Cleveland Volunteers and they were
assigned to the Army of Tennessee. On July 4, 1863
Singleton was taken prisoner when Lieutenant General
John C. Pemberton surrendered Confederate forces at
Vicksburg Mississippi after a long siege by Union
forces. Singleton's parole dated July 7, 1863
contained his promise not to take up arms against the
forces of the United States until duly exchanged by the
proper authorities. The Union officer who signed his
parole was Major John C. Fry, of the 20th Regiment,
Ohio Volunteers. A family story is that Singleton and
other members of his company walked back to Georgia
after they were released, formed the company again and
served until the war's end in April 1865.
About a year later in Lumpkin County Georgia, Singleton
married Margaret C. McElreath on April 6, 1866. She
was the daughter of James M. and Rachel Dowdy McElreath
who lived near Dahlonega. The lived a short time near
Carter Hill, then settled about one mile southeast of
Bethel. Singleton and Margaret had 13 children between
1867 and 1891, all of whom survived to adulthood. They
were from strong stock - Singleton died at the age of
83; Margaret was the oldest surviving widow of a Barrow
County Confederate veteran when she died in 1942, less
than one month short of her 98th birthday.
The local newspaper reported his death:
"Mr. Singleton Brown, one of the oldest and most highly
esteemed citizens of this county died at his home in
the Bethel community last Sunday. He was 83 years, 2
months and 20 days old at the time of his death. He
had been sick only a few days.
"The remains were buried at Bethel church last Monday,
of which church he was a member, Rev, J.C. Harbin
conducting the funeral services. Besides his widow, he
leaves the following children: James Brown of Atlanta;
Thomas, George, Judson, Grover and Ernest Brown of this
county; Mrs. (Tavie) Thurmond Adams of Winder; Misses
Lou (Mary Luellen) and Willie (Millie) Brown of this
county, and one adopted daughter, who is also a
grandchild, Miss Era Edwards Brown (daughter of J
Robert and Caroline Brown Edwards; Caroline died in
1904).
" Mr. Brown also leaves 48 grand children and 25 great
grand children.
"To the bereaved ones the deepest sympathy of a host of
friends is extended."
(Researched and written by Singleton's great great
grandson William W. McCollum)